Preseason strength of schedule rankings are pretty meaningless. Mostly due to parity and the rapid rate of power shifts in the NFL. By the time week 10 rolls around, what may have looked like the easiest schedule when it came out, could easily be among the toughest.

The schedules and divisions were set up explicitly to allow for divisional rivalries and to ensure that teams play one another at least once every 4 years. Every team in your division will play 6 divisional games, 4 games against a conference division, and 4 games against a non-conference division. The remaining 2 games are based on divisional standing from the year before.

The Raiders' schedule was set 3-4 years ago without any sort of bias in mind. Stop whining.

Based on the 2006 opponent winning percentage. They just can't catch a break. They had the worst record and are rewarded with the toughest schedule. And they play in the toughest division in football.

I'm not sure the AFC West in the toughest division in football. They might have had the best team perhaps, but that doesn't make them toughest. I'm willing to bet the Chiefs aren't a playoff caliber team next year. And I have a hunch the the Chargers won't be going 14-2 as well.

Free Agency starts on Thursday. The Draft is on 4/28/07. A lot will change between now and then. You can't judge this season's schedule strength now because of all the roster turnover that will take place over the next 6 weeks.